A little more tree...

Here is another take, Geoff, with more tree... does this work a little better for you??

Hi Ned...

Now I feel bad for having made you go to the trouble of posting an image with more tree visible! I have to say, after viewing this one, that I think the Gorge Oak image was a much stronger image because of the superlative foreground in that composition. I just don't find the ferns in this image to be as compelling as the previous image's foreground.

But I do like seeing more of the oak...

Not a problem at all - I have a couple more comps as well I can post.. I agree about the foreground in the first one - I liked it as well - the ferns are pretty awesome under these... I'll have to hit them again now that I have a wider lens.. got an incredible deal on a new, never used 16-35 II that I have yet to use. I'll also be picking up a 180 macro before I hit the dahlias again this summer...

Lucky you with all those new toys! Let me know when you hit the dahlias - I'll be up for doing them this summer as well...

The diversity of the foreground elements in the other one really kicks it up a notch, Ned. I'll vote for that one.

Thanks Mark and Geoff.. you've got it, Geoff - I was there 7 or 8 days last year, it was great... I agree too, Mark - definitely a place to spend more time looking for the right compositions... this is up on that trail above Ponytail Falls as you probably already know..

I prefer this one. The oak seems to reach out to the viewer in this one, and enhances the way the ferns all reach towoard the viewer. I feel pulled into the scene much more with this one.

Overall I think I slightly prefer the first one Ned, the ferns really stand out in that shot. On the other hand, the second shot showcases more of that glowing green foliage surounding the oak.

I'll vote for the first as well, for the exact reasons Hudon noted.